Strip serving apparatus



June 29, 1937. T. R. GAUTIER STRIP SERVING APPARATUS Filed Jan.- 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Iwve/o' v Revow. Quai/175e?. Ey un? TMW/715W dii/iig@ June 29, 1937. T, R @AU-HER y l2,085,714l

` STRIP SERVING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2o, 193e 2 sheets-snee@v 2 Patented June 29, 1937 UNITD sr Zliif STREP SERVENG APPARATUS Application January 20, 1936, Serial No. 59,861

6 Claims.

My present invention relates to apparatus and devices for serving or dispensing gummed tape, as for package sealing, wrapping, labeling and similar purposes. More particularly it aims to provide in combination with such apparatus or device simple and efficient means useful for moistening the gummed surfaces of individual or pre-cut sheets such as ordinary labels and the like, as contrasted with tape or strip material coming from a supply of indenite length, and whereby the one apparatus or device is adapted for use both for delivering lengths of moistened tape as well as for rendering such pre-cut strips or labels adhesive in readiness for application.

In the drawings illustrating by way of eX- ample one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a strip server or gummed tape dispensing apparatus, the forward portion of one side frame being broken away;

20 Fig. 2 is a plan of the liquid reservoir and associated moistening members;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through the mechanism of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a View corresponding to Fig. 3, showlng another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan of the front portion of the guide and associated parts as in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detail cross-sectional view showing one manner of supporting the guide on the ma- :hine frame, as in Figs. 4 and 5.

As will be apparent from the followingdescription, my present invention is useful in connection with a strip serving or gummed tape dispensing machines of widely varying construction, the machine as a whole as here shown being but representative. In general construction, and referring now to Fig. 1, the apparatus illustrated comprises a housing including side frames l suitably connected as by cross ties 5, 5, etc., and supported on feet 6. The rear portions of the side frames provide between them a well 'l for a supply of tape T in roll form.

The tape from the roll supply is advanced along a path for moistening, severance and del 55 is by them drawn out from the roll supply and (Cl. S31- 38) pushed or fed forwardly to and past the cut-off means and the moistening means, to the delivery point at the front of the machine. The

inactive or return movement of the feed lever is checked as by the back stop I4. The tape cutoff means as illustrated includes a fixed blade il and cooperating vertically movable blade i8 normally lying below the tape path and arranged for operation as by the cut-off lever'iQ. The latter is pivcted on the machine frame as at 2li and has at one end a finger piece 2 lv located conveniently to the hand of the operator, its other end being connected with the movable blade i8 as by a pivoted link 22. A spring 23 normally keeps the blade i8 depressed, out of the way of the tape.

The tape is guided in its passage toand past the feed members as by upper and lower guides 2li, 25, and beyond or forwardly of the severing means the tape is advanced over a bottom guide 26, to the tape moistening means. Said meistening means includes a tank or reservoir 3l) in which is set a capillary moistener 3l, illustrated as an inverted brush of the hair or bristle type, located some distance to the rear of the front wall of the tank. It projects to the tape path, so as to have moistening contact with the gummed under face of the advancing tape, and may be tilted somewhat forward1yas by one or more inclined step members 32 receiving the butt 33 of the brush. The upper end of the brush may se supported as indicated at 32a, while fins 32b on the tank serve additionally to position and support the brush.

The tank 3U preferably is removably positioned on the housing, being supported by the front cross tie 5 received between ears 34, and by a lug 35 on one or both side frames. A rearward projection 3B on the tank engaging beneath a member 3l on the adjacent frame holds the tank against tipping.

The advancing tape is guided across the tape moistener 3 l, with its gummed face in moistening relation to it, by an overlying guide or deflector lli), Fig. 1, comprising a normally stationary plate or other guide means having front and rear cross supports lil and 52, shown in the form of rods about which the respective ends of the plate 40 are bent. The rear rod @l is axially apertured at its ends pivotally to receive supporting pins or screws 43 threaded into the side frames. The front rod 42 has reduced end portions or pins it releasably received in apertures at the front ends of a pair of spring fingers or strips 45 fixed on the side frames as by said screws 43 and other screws 45. These fingers are sufciently resilient to permit them to be sprung outwardly to free the pins 4Q at the front of the plate or deiiector 0, so unlocking it for swinging back into position to expose the tape path and tape moistener 3i.

Forwardly of the tape moistener or brush 3l the tape passes onto and across guide means shown by way of example as a plate or table EQ overlying the tank and herein carried by or forming a part of a removable cover piece or top unit for the tank. Said top unit may have positioning portions or flanges i, see Fig. 4, and a peripheral lip 52 seating on the wall of the tank where it may be secured as by screws 53 received in bosses 54. Upstanding anges 52a at the sides of the top unit, at the rear of the main guide Sil, assist in confining the tape brush and in guiding the tape, laterally. It will be understood that said guide means or associated parts need not necessarily be mounted on the tank, but may be otherwise supported onthe machine.

In accordance with the invention gummed strip or tape serving apparatus of which I have above described one example is afforded the function of moistening separate or pre-cut sheets such as ordinary gummed labels and the like, in addition to that of moistening and dispensing gummed tape from a supply of indefinite length. The term label as herein used is intended to include any such pre-cut or separate strip sheet or other article to be moistened. The label moistening means may be variously constructed and arranged, but preferably it is such as to avoid cumbersome lateral projections on the machine and yet to be conveniently and instantly accessible. 'vVhile the label moistener and the container for its liquid supply may be structurally separate from the tape moistening means, in the forms illustrated as examples both moisteners are disposed to receive their moisture from a common tank, without unduly increasing the size of the latter or otherwise detracting from the general ompactness andefciency of the apparatus as a tape dispenser.

To that end, the front portion of the top unit of the tank has an opening 55 through which projects the label moistener 56, shown as a capillary device or brush of the hairor bristle type. The butt 5ta of this label moistening brush is received on one or more step members 5l, and lugs 58 on the tank bottom coniine it in the rearward direction. A depending flange 59 at the front of the top unit assists in supporting the upper end of this front or label moistening brush 55.

As apparent from the drawings, said label moistener 53 is located adjacent and in alinement with the tape path, that is, in the same vertical plane lengthwise the machine. The construction and arrangement is such, however, as to provide for free and unobstructed delivery of tape, without interference by the label moistener, such as might cause the tape to buckle. As an aid in this connection the guide means 5i) may be inclined upwardly and forwardly, as illustrated. This has the additional advantage of delivering the tape in a convenient position for use and also facilitates the label moistening action. In some instances, particularly with the heavier tapes, such guide, terminating at or above the level of the label moistener, may itself be adequate to cause the tape to overpass or span the label moistener, either with or without further directing support as by stationary or other guide means such as ribs, inclined ns, ngers or the like normally at or above the level of the label moistener and closely behind it. To insure eflicient operation under various conditions and with the different weights of tape I preferably additionally arrange the label moistener and the tape guide means so that the label moistener has a normal inoperative relation to the advancing tape, and an Iexposed or operative position for moistening labels or the like or for supplementally moistening the tape or some portion if it manually should that be desired.

Referring more particularly to the exemplary form of the invention shown in the drawings, such arangement is herein effected by providing movable or yielding tape guide means between the two moisteners and particularly in the locality of the front or label moistener, all or any desired portion of the intervening guide means being disposed for depressing or other movement so as to expose the label moistener. As illustrated, a front portion S9 of the total guide means, in the form of a plate or other guide element, is flexibly or movably mounted and yieldably supported so that it has a normal shielding or masking relation with the label moistener 56, substantially as shown by the full lines in Fig. 3. At such time said front guide element or shield 6% defines a portion or prolongation of the guided path of the tape in cooperation withV the rear section of the entire guide means 50 previously mentioned, so that the tape is conducted uninterruptedly across and out of contact with the label moistener,

Any suitable means for relatively movably supporting the label moistener and the shield element or guide Si) may be employed, such for example as by making said element itself flexible. As illustrated, said element is pivotally mounted as by means of bosses Si apertured to receive loosely the ends of screws 62 projecting through ears 53 on the top unit of the tank. It will be understood however that said shield element may be otherwise mounted on the machine, for example, on the machine frame, as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6. For yieldably holding it in the normal position shown, spring or other supporting means may be employed, such as the attached weighting member lill. As above indicated the relative proportion between the front or any movable portion 6% and the rear or any stationary portion of the total guide means 56 intermediate the two moisteners may be varied as desired, as between the two extremes of a wholly stationary but elevated guide adapted to cause the tape to span the label moistener, as previously referred to, and one example of which is shown in Figs. 4 to 6, and a construction in which the whole guide means 5S, including both the front section corresponding to element Gil and the section rearwardly of it, is bodily movable or depressible for the described purpose, said guide means in any case being located on the machine in proper correlation with the tape path and with the label moistener, either by being supported on the tank as in Figs. 1 to 3, or otherwise, as on any convenient stationary part of the machine, such as the frame, as in Figs. 4 to 6.

The fore edge of any movable section 6D may be formed with a forwardly rounded lip 65 so that when it is depressed or swung down into the dotted line position of Fig. 3 it moves easily past the upper end of the label brush 56, pushing the rear bristles slightly forwardly to any extent necessary rather than entering between or disarranging them.

In Fig. 3 a label or other separate strip or sheet L is indicated in dotted lines, in position as during moistening thereof. It will be understood that when it is desired to moisten such label for afxing to a package, container or the ilke, either in connection with sealing the same with tape dispensed from the machine or for any other purpose, the operator merely graps the label and wipes it downwardly across the brush 56. Any yielding or depressible section 60 is automatically pushed out of the way in the course of such an operation, but immediately thereafter returns to its masking position, in readiness to cooperate in assuring proper delivery cf the next length of tape to be dispensed. It will particularly be noted that in the illustrated construction labels or other separate strips or sheets of widely varying dimensions may be moistened, without limitation as to any definite width or size of the label which can be passed across and in moistening relation with the front or label moistener.

While the two moistening elements may be otherwise disposed within the scope of the invention, as in separate tanks or compartments, it will readily be appreciated that the use of a common tank and the accompanying unitary arrangement illustrated is advantageous in its simplicity and convenience, the entire device being removable for inspection, replenishment or other attention, as a unit.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 the guide means includes a plate or table .56a extending forwardly from the rear brush 3|. In said Figs. 4 to 6 similar reference numerals indicate similar parts as in the preceding figures. This guide means is mounted on and supported by a stationary part of the machine, in this instance the side frames 4. For this purpose it is formed with down-turned sides or flanges 1G, 'I0 adapted to extend down over the respective side frames 4. Each such flange 'l0 is formed with one or more nubbins or buttons 'Il receivable in corresponding recesses l Ia appropriately located in the side frames. The guide means as a whole is thus supported by the machine frame in operative position but may be removed when desired, the flanges l being sufficiently flexible to release the interengaging means 1l, lla.

At the front portion of the guide 50a there are provided, either integrally or otherwise, a plurality of forwardly extending fingers, ns, ribs or the like 73. As illustrated these members include a reversely turned rearward extension 14. These ngers are so arranged and correlated with respect to the label moistening brush S as to direct the advancing tape past the label moistener, avoiding feed-hindering engagement with the latter. Nevertheless, these ngers are so spaced and arranged as to afford access to the label moistener for the purpose of moistening labels and the like. The lingers 73 may be somewhat resilient, so as to yield downwardly under pressure to an extent limited by the rear extension T4. In other instances the fingers or other fore portion of the guide means as a whole may be rigid. The guide a includes a depending rear portion 'f5 for cooperation with the tape moistener 3|, similarly as the lip 32a of the previous figures.

It will be understood that any features of the embodiment as in Figs. 4 to 6 may be substituted in the embodiment of Figs. l to 3, and vice versa. For example, in either instance a front portion of the guide means as a Whole may be movable or may be resilient or may be rigid, and in either instance the guide means or associated parts may be supported on the tank'or otherwise with respectv to the machine as a whole.

My invention is not limited to the particular illustrative embodiment herein shown and described, its scope being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a gummed tape serving machine, in cornbination, a frame, a support thereon for a tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape from the supply, a tank for liquid, a tape-moistening element projecting from a rear portion of the tank and receiving moisture therefrom for wetting the gummed face of the advancing tape, a second moistening element forwardly of said tape moistening element and likewise receiving moisture from said tank, and a movable member adapted at times to shield said second element from the advancing tape and then aiding to guide the latter to the delivery point, said member being readily movable so as at other times to permit and assist the operator to pass portions of the tape or a separate label or the like across said second element in moistening relation to it.

2. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a support for tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape, a tape delivery guide, tapemoistening means for wetting the gummed face of the tape as it approaches said guide, and other moistening means adjacentv said tape-moistening means, said guide comprising yieldable means for selecting as between said moistening means thereby supplementally to treat the tape and to moisten other strips as desired.

3. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a frame, a support thereon for a tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape from the supply, a tank for liquid, a tape-moistening brush at a rear part of the tank, tape-guiding means forwardly of said brush, said tape-guiding means including a vertically movable forward portion having a tape-delivering elevated position for directing the tape along a normal path to the delivery point and having a depressed position in which it is out of the normal path of the tape, and means normally holding said portion in said elevated position.

4. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a frame, a support thereon for tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape, a tape delivery table supported on the frame, tape-moistening means for wetting the gummed face of the tape as it approaches said table, and a moistening element adjacently below the front portion of said table, said front portion of the table being vertically yieldable and serving selectively to conduct moistened tape past and out of contact with the front moistening element and to admit separate gummed pieces for flatwise contact with said lower moistening element.

5. In combination with the liquid tank and tape moistening means of a tape-dispensing machine, a tape-and-label moistening brush disposed to receive liquid from the tank, and yieldable guiding means associated with said brush and selectively operative to guide the tape coming from said moistening means to the delivery point and to shield said brush from engagement by the tape while so guiding it and alternatively to expose the brush for further tape moistening and for label-moistening purposes. v

6. A moistening assembly for a tape serving apparatus, comprising a tank for liquid, an u1@-r Wardly projecting capillary moistener in the tank, for moistening the tape, a second moistener projecting from the tank in advance of the first, and

tape guiding means on the tank between the two moisteners, said means including a vertically movable pivoted guide acting at times to direct TREVOR R. GAUTIER. 

